Understanding Weed Resistance as a Wicked Problem to Improve Weed Management Decisions

Abstract

Managing weed resistance has become a major challenge for many agricultural producers. Resistance is growing in terms of the number of weeds exhibiting resistance and the number of herbicides to which weeds are becoming resistant. The susceptibility of weeds to herbicides in many regions is a diminishing common pool resource affected by local producer weed control actions and natural conditions. Given the growing number of weeds exhibiting resistance, and the recognition that weed resistance is not a private property issue, we argue that managing resistance must be viewed as a wicked problem with no standard template across regions. Finding farm management approaches that help farmers successfully address weed resistance requires a shared perspective that incorporates an improved understanding of the human dimensions of weed management. Through an analysis of wicked problem characteristics, we argue that a people-centered approach to weed management is necessary. We offer principles learned from tackling other wicked agriculture and resource conservation issues to guide such approaches. Education, technical assistance, incentive schemes and regulatory efforts, and other strategies can play roles in constructing management approaches for herbicide resistance, but will have to vary from current efforts to unravel the mysteries of more effective weed management. Building a more inclusive approach, in terms of stakeholders and disciplines, will be key to achieving progress.

Glyphosate-Resistant Parthenium hysterophorus in the Caribbean Islands: Non Target Site Resistance and Target Site Resistance in Relation to Resistance Levels

“…However, using glyphosate alone without any additional alternative and/or IWM (Integrated Weed Management) led to the emergence of glyphosate-resistant weeds early in the second decade of the 21st century (Tables 1, 2). Herbicide response between different locations depends on local ecological factors, such as a variation in soil type, tillage practices, types of crops, fertilizers, etc., (Shaner and Beckie, 2014; Jussaume and Ervin, 2016). Our results showed different glyphosate resistance levels between the P. hysterophorus accessions.…”

“…Our results showed different glyphosate resistance levels between the P. hysterophorus accessions. This differences could be addressed to the use of different glyphosate formulations and dose rate, the application technique (manual or mechanical) employed by farmers, and the agro environment conditions (Neve et al, 2014; Renton et al, 2014; Jussaume and Ervin, 2016; Matzrafi et al, 2016; Owen, 2016). It has been shown that an increase in the relative humidity and temperature increases the glyphosate absorption, translocation, and toxicity in many weed species (Ge et al, 2011; Hatterman-Valenti et al, 2011; Vila-Aiub et al, 2012; Santos et al, 2016).…”

A weed resistance management game: a teaching tool

“…Several socioeconomic factors create barriers to herbicide resistance management . Yet, the game presented here focuses on one in particular – management of herbicide resistance as a common pool resource problem . If HR weeds are mobile across farms, the susceptibility of weeds to herbicides is a resource shared across operators in the community.…”

“…The late Elinor Ostrom, 2009 Nobel Laureate in Economics, and colleagues have demonstrated that either centralized government institutions or private collective governance can effectively manage common property resources . Social scientists have recognized that Ostrom and colleagues' insights may be applied to voluntary, community‐based management of herbicide resistance, in contrast to a strictly regulatory approach …”

Transdisciplinary weed research: new leverage on challenging weed problems?

“…Numerous observers have called for more weed research that is informed by its broader environmental and social context, so that it can successfully address highly challenging weed problems. Such problems include (but are not restricted to) herbicide resistance (Jussaume & Ervin, ), invasive crops or perennial weeds in tropical smallholder agriculture (e.g. Davis et al ., ; Allen et al ., ; Schut et al ., ; Ward et al ., ; Jordan & Davis, ).…”